Method and means for shaping rocket launcher tubes

ABSTRACT

A means for shaping rocket launcher tubes includes first and second tool assemblies mounted on a frame and spaced apart from one another and a conveyor adapted to move a cylindrical rocket launcher tube between the tool assemblies. The tool assemblies each include an extensible rotating drum, and an extensible cutting tool. The rotating drums are adapted to extend toward the opposite ends of the tube, and they include feet which are radially extendable to grip the ends of the tube to impart rotational movement thereto. The cutting tools are adapted for moving to engage and cut the outer surface of the tube at its opposite ends while it is rotating. A scoring tool is mounted on the frame and includes at least one roller which is adapted to be pressed against the surface of the tube as it rotates so as to cause an indentation around the circumference of the tube.

United States Patent Inventor John J. Nash Ferguson, Mo. Appl. No. 849,071 Filed Aug. 11, I969 Patented Sept. 14, I971 Assignee Alsco, Inc.

St. Louis, Mo.

METHOD AND MEANS FOR SHAPING ROCKET LAUNCHER TUBES 15 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

us. 01 29/400, 29/157 R, 29/200 A, 29/200 B, 29/558 1111. c1 ..B23 1 7 00, B23p 19/00, B23p 13/04 Field of Search 29/1s7.s,

558, 200 A, 200 B, 400, 563, I57 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary ExaminerThomas H. Eager Att0rney.lohn D. Pope, Ill

ABSTRACT: A means for shaping rocket launcher tubes includes first and second tool assemblies mounted on a frame and spaced apart from one another and a conveyor adapted to move a cylindrical rocket launcher tube between the tool assemblies. The tool assemblies each include an extensible rotating drum, and an extensible cutting tool. The rotating drums are adapted to extend toward the opposite ends of the tube, and they include feet which are radially extendable to grip the ends of the tube to impart rotational movement thereto. The cutting tools are adapted for moving to engage and cut the outer surface of the tube at its opposite ends while it is rotating. A scoring tool is mounted on the frame and includes at least one roller which is adapted to be pressed against the surface of the tube as it rotates so as to cause an indentation around the circumference of thetube. V

METHOD AND MEANS FOR SHAPING ROCKET LAUNCHER TUBES This invention relates to a method and means for shaping rocket launcher tubes.

United States military forces presently use rocket launchers which are suspended beneath aircraft and which are adapted to hold and fire rockets. The rocket launchers are comprised of a plurality of cylindrical tubes assembled together in a bundle. Over the opposite ends of the tube bundle are secured circular bulkheads which have apertures in registered alignment with the opposite ends of the tubes. Each tube has at its aft end an electrical contact which engages an ignition cap on the aft end of the rocket. The electrical contacts are wired into an electrical circuit with a switch and a power source. When the switch is closed electricity is introduced to the ignition caps of the rockets, thereby firing them. Because the lateral surfaces of the tubes abut against one another in the tube bundle there is insufficient space for the wires to extend between the tubes. In order to provide room for these wires each rocket tube is scored with an indentation around its circumference adjacent its aft end. When the tubes are assembled into a bundle their indentations provide space for the wires to extend between their abutting surfaces.

In order to facilitate attachment of the bulkheads over the ends of the tube bundle, each tube is provided at its opposite ends with reduced diameter portions which extend axially inwardly and terminate in axially outwardly presented shoulders. The reduced diameter portions fit within the apertures of the bulkheads so that the bulkheads abut against the shoulders.

In the manufacture of rocket launcher tubes each tube must be sized to a predetermined length, provided with reduced diameters at its opposite ends, and scored to provide an indentation around its circumference adjacent its aft end. This invention provides a method and means for performing these three operations simultaneously.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a method and means for shaping rocket launcher tubes wherein the tubes simultaneously have their lengths sized, their outer surfaces scored, and their opposite ends shaved down to reduced diameters; the provision of a method and means for shaping rocket launcher tubes wherein each tube is releasably held and rotated during the performance of the shaping operation; the provision of a method and means for shaping rocket launcher tubes wherein each tube is released and carried away after completion of the shaping operation and another tube is introduced for shaping; the provision of a method and means for shaping rocket launcher tubes wherein the aforementioned operations can be performed by one operator; and the provision of a means for shaping rocket launcher tubes which is durable in use and economical to manufacture and operate. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions and methods hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. I is an isometric view of the means for shaping rocket launcher tubes; FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are partial sectional views illustrating th various positions of the tool assembly with respect to the tube during the steps of the-shaping process;

FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view of the scoring tool;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Numeral I0 designates a machine for shaping rocket launcher tubes. A frame 12 includes a table 14 having a pair of parallel rails 16 mounted thereon. Extending through rails 16 are a pair of apertures 18 which are in the shape of a keyhole and which are aligned opposite one anothen:

Extending up from table 14 are two forward brackets 20 and two rear brackets 22. .lournaled in forward brackets 20 is a forward conveyor axle 24 and journaled within rear brackets 22 is a rear conveyor axle 26. Rigidly mounted on conveyor axle 24 are two forward sprockets 28 and mounted on axle 26 are two rear sprockets 30. A first conveyor chain 32 extends around one forward sprocket 28 and one rear sprocket 30. A second conveyor chain 34 extends around the remaining forward and rear sprockets 28, 30. Mounted on chains 32, 34 are a plurality of U-shaped conveyor brackets 36. Each bracket 36 on chain 32 is paired and aligned with a corresponding conveyor bracket 36 on chain 34. This alignment permits each pair of brackets 36 to receive and hold the opposite ends of a cylindrical rocket launching tube 38. On one end of axle 24 is a drive sprocket 40 which is driven by a drive chain 42. Chain 42 is driven by a conventional motor 44. As motor 44 is actuated it rotates axle 24 which causes sprockets 28 to rotate, thereby driving conveyor chains 32, 34.

A spaced-apart pair of tool assemblies 46 are rigidly mounted on table 14 and are located adjacent and outwardly of apertures 18 in rails 16. Assemblies 46 each include a drive motor 48 which may be of any conventional electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic type. Motors 48 each impart rotational movement to a drive shaft 50. Shafts 50 point toward one another and are extensible along their axial lengths toward and away from one another.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a substantially cylindrical drum 52 is mounted on the end of shaft 50 by means of setscrews 54. Drum 52 includes four apertures 56 around its circumference and a flange 58 protruding radially inwardly into its interior. A drawbar 60 slidably extends along the axis of shaft 50 into the interior of drum 52 where it terminates in a camming head 62. Head 62 includes four flat beveled camming surfaces 64 and a guide flange 66 at the axial tip of camming head 62.

In each aperture 56 of drum 52 is seated an extensible foot 68. Each foot 68 protrudes radially within drum 52 and terminates at a beveled inner surface which conforms to and slidably engages camming surface 64 of camming head 62. Each foot 68 is provided with a groove 69 which is partially covered by a tongue 70. A circular split ring 71 is seated within grooves 69 of feet 68 and biases feet 68 radially inwardly with respect to the cylindrical axis of drum 52. Thus feet 68 are yieldabiy held against camming surfaces 64 of camming head 62.

A fixed retaining block 74 is mounted within the end of drum 52 and is held against sliding movement out of the end thereof by a ring 76 seated in the end of drum 52. Fixed retaining block 74 slidably embraces feet 68 to limit their movement to the left as viewed in FIG. 6. Block 74 includes an aperture 80 which is sized to slidably receive guide flange 66. Engaging the right-hand side of feet 68, as viewed in FIG. 6, is a movable retaining block 82. Block 82 is biased toward feet 68 by a coil spring 84 which is compressed between flange 58 and retaining block 82. Feet 68 are held in place between fixed retaining block 74 and movable retaining block 82.

Drawbar 60 is connected to a conventional pneumatic or hydraulic extension means (not shown) within drive motor 48 which when actuated will move drawbar 60 axially within drive shaft 50. Radial extension of feet 68 is accomplished by moving drawbar 60 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 6. This movement causes surfaces 64 of head 62 to cam feet 68 radially moving drawbar 60 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 6, thereby permitting split ring 71 to urge feet 68 radially inwardly.

Telcscoped over drive shaft 50 is an extensible collar 86 (FIGS. 2-4) which is adapted to slide in the direction of the longitudinal axis of shaft 50. The means for extending collar 86 is within drive motor 48. It can be a hydraulic or pneumatic prime mover, and is not shown because of its conventional nature. Rigidly secured to collar 86 is a cutting tool 88. Tool 88 includes a first cutting edge 90 and a second cutting edge 92.

The operation of tool assembly 46 is illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. Referring to FIG. 2, a rocket-launching tube 38 includes an outer cylindrical surface 94, an inner cylindrical surface 96, and an end edge 98. To begin the shaping operation, conveyor brackets 36 move tube 38 between tool assemblies 46 and hold it in position with its opposite end edges 98 in registered alignment with apertures 18 of rails 16. Each drum 52 is positioned outside rail 16 and in registered alignment with aperture 18. Drive shaft 50 is extended so that drum 52 protrudes into the end of tube 38 (FIG. 3). The diameter of drum 52 is slightly less than the diameter of inner surface 96 of tube 38. Feet 68 are in their retracted positions as drum 52 extends into tube 38. After drum 52 is within the end of tube 38, feet 68 are extended radially outwardly so that feet 68 engage the surface 96 of tube 38, thereby gripping tube 38. Motor 48 is then actuated to rotate drive shaft 50 which in turn causes tube 38 to rotate. After tube 38 begins rotation, collar 86 is extended (FIG. 4) slowly so that first cutting edge 90 of tool 88 engages and cuts the outer surface 94 of tube 38. First cutting edge 90 is positioned with respect to tube 38 so that it shaves only a portion of its cylindrical walls away. Second cutting edge 92 of tool 88 engages end edge 98 of tube 38. Collars 86 of each tool assembly 46 extend toward one another a predetermined distance so that second cutting edges 92 will size tube 38 to a predetermined length. When the shaping operation is complete tube 38 will have a reduced diameter portion 100 on each of its opposite ends. Reduced portion 100 terminates at an axially outwardly presented shoulder 102. After reduced portion 100 has been formed by cutting tool 88, collar 86 again retracts to its original position. Motor 48 is deactuated and shaft 50 discontinues its rotational movement. Feet 68 are retracted radially inwardly, thereby releasing their grip on inner surface 96 of tube 38 and drive shaft 50 retracts to its original position. Conveyor brackets 36 move the processed tube 38 away from apertures 18 and move a new tube 38 into position for shaping.

A scoring assembly 104 includes a block 106 having a bracket 108 mounted thereon. Bracket 108 includes two upwardly extending ears 110 in which are journaled a pair of axles 112. A flat roller 114 and a rimmed roller 116 are mounted on each axle 112. Flat rollers 114 are positioned on the opposite sides of cars 110 from rimmed rollers 116. Rollers 116 include a cylindrical drum portion 118 and a rim 120 which protrudes radially outwardly from drum 118. Ears 110 are positioned a predetermined distance apart so that rollers 114, 116, will be a distance apart which is slightly less than the diameter of tube 38. Secured to block 106 is a hydraulic cylinder 122 which is adapted to move block 106 upwardly and downwardly towards and away from tube 38.

After drum 52 has extended into tube 38 and feet 68 have been extended to grip tube 38 and rotate it, hydraulic cylinder 122 is actuated to move block 106 toward tube 38. Rimmed rollers 116 are pressed against the rotating tube 38 and rims 120 each form an indentation around the circumference of tube 38. Drum portions 118 of rimmed rollers 1 l6 limit the inward protrusion of rims 120 by engaging the outer surface of tube 38. The actuation of hydraulic cylinder 122 is done at the same time that cutting tool 88 engages tube 38 so that the tubes are sized, scored, and cut simultaneously.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a frame; first and second tool assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced-apart from one another; conveyor means adapted to move a cylindrical tube between said tool assemblies; rotating drums on each of said tool assemblies, said rotating drums being extendible towards the opposite ends of said tube and being adapted for releasably gripping said tube so as to impart rotational movement thereto; and cutting tools on each of said tool assemblies, said cutting tools being adapted to move to engage and cut the radial outer surface of said tube at its opposite ends while it is being rotated by said drums, thereby forming reduced diameters at the opposite ends of said tube.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drums have a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of said tube, said drums including members which are radially movable to an extended position, whereby extension of said drums within said tube and movement of said members to their extended position causes said tube to be attached to said drums.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said members are engaged by a camming head of a drawbar, said drawbar being mounted for axial sliding movement within said drums, whereby axial movement of said drawbar in one direction causes said members to cam radially outwardly.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said cutting tools includes a first cutting edge adapted to engage the outer surface of said tube and a second cutting edge adapted to engage the end of said tube, said cutting tools being movable towards each other until they are a predetermined distance apart so that their second cutting edges will out said tube to a predetermined length.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein a scoring tool is mounted on said frame and includes at least one roller rotatably mounted thereon, said roller being movable to a scoring position wherein it engages the outer surface of said tube; and means are provided for pressing said roller against said tube so as to cause an indentation around the circumference of said tube as it is rotated by said drums.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said roller includes a reduced diameter portion and a rim having a greater diameter than said portion, whereby said rim engages said tube and causes said indentation, and said reduced diameter portion limits the distance which said rim protrudes radially into said tube.

7. A method for shaping tubes comprising moving a cylindrical tube between two tool assemblies having rotating drums which are axially movable towards one another; extending said drums towards one another until they are adjacent the opposite ends of said tube; actuating grasping means on said drums so that said grasping means will engage and hold said tube, whereby rotation of said drums will be transmitted to said tube; and extending a cutting tool axially inwardly a predetermined distance from the ends of said tube so that said cutting tool engages and cuts the outer surface of said tube, whereby rotation of said tube causes a portion of the outer surface of its cylindrical wall to be shaved away around its circumference, thereby reducing the outer diameter of said tube at its opposite ends.

8. The method of claim 7 including pressing a roller against the outer surface of said tube while it is rotating so that an indentation is formed around the circumference of said tube.

9. The method of claim 8 including assembling the indented tubes into a bundle so that the indentations provide space for wire to extend between the abutting tubes.

10. A tube-shaping device comprising a frame, first and second tool assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced apart from one another, transporting means for locating a tube between said tool assemblies, holding drums on each of said tool assemblies, said holding drums being extendable toward the opposite ends of said tube and being adapted for releasably gripping said tube, and cutting tools on each of said tool assemblies, said cutting tools being adapted to move toward the outer surface of said tube to engage said tube such that said tube is cut at the opposite ends thereof during relative movement between said cutting tools and said tube.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said holding drums are rotatable on said tool assemblies so as to impart rotational movement to said tube during gripping engagement between said holding drums and said tube, said cutting tool engaging the opposite ends of said rotating tube to form reduced diameters thereon.

12. The device of claim wherein said drums have a diameter less than the inner diameter of said tube, said drums including members which are radially movable to an extended position whereby extension of said drums within said tube and movement of said members to their extended position causes said tube to be attached to said drums.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein each of said cutting tools includes a first cutting edge adapted to engage the outer surface of said tube and a second cutting edge adapted to engage the end of said tube, said cutting tools being movable toward each other until they are a predetemiined distance apart so that their second cutting edges will out said tube to a predetermined length. I

14. The device of claim 10 wherein a scoring tool is mounted on said frame and includes at least one roller rotatably mounted thereon, said roller being movable to a scoring position wherein it engages the outer surface of said tube and means are provided for pressing said roller against said tube so as to cause a peripheral indentation around said tube as said tube is rotated by said drums.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said roller includes a reduced diameter portion and a rim having a greater diameter than said portion such that said rim engages said tube and causes said indentation, and said reduced diameter portion limits the distance which said rim protrudes radially into said tube. 

1. In combination a frame; first and second tool assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced-apart from one another; conveyor means adapted to move a cylindrical tube between said tool assemblies; rotating drums on each of said tool assemblies, said rotating drums being extendible towards the opposite ends of said tube and being adapted for releasably gripping said tube so as to impart rotational movement thereto; and cutting tools on each of said tool assemblies, said cutting tools being adapted to move to engage and cut the radial outer surface of said tube at its opposite ends while it is being rotated by said drums, thereby forming reduced diameters at the opposite ends of said tube.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said drums have a diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of said tube, said drums including members which are radially movable to an extended position, whereby extension of said drums within said tube and movement of said members to their extended position causes said tube to be attached to said drums.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said members are engaged by a camming head of a drawbar, said drawbar being mounted for axial sliding movement within said drums, whereby axial movement of said drawbar in one direction causes said members to cam radially outwardly.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said cutting tools includes a first cutting edge adapted to engage the outer surface of said tube and a second cutting edge adapted to engage the end of said tube, said cutting tools being movable towards each other until they are a predetermined distance apart so that their second cutting edges will cut said tube to a predetermined length.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein a scoring tool is mounted on said frame and includes at least one roller rotatably mounted thereon, said roller being movable to a scoring position wherein it engages the outer surface of said tube; and means are provided for pressing said roller against said tube so as to cause an indentation around the circumference of said tube as it is rotated by said drums.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said roller includes a reduced diameter portion and a rim havinG a greater diameter than said portion, whereby said rim engages said tube and causes said indentation, and said reduced diameter portion limits the distance which said rim protrudes radially into said tube.
 7. A method for shaping tubes comprising moving a cylindrical tube between two tool assemblies having rotating drums which are axially movable towards one another; extending said drums towards one another until they are adjacent the opposite ends of said tube; actuating grasping means on said drums so that said grasping means will engage and hold said tube, whereby rotation of said drums will be transmitted to said tube; and extending a cutting tool axially inwardly a predetermined distance from the ends of said tube so that said cutting tool engages and cuts the outer surface of said tube, whereby rotation of said tube causes a portion of the outer surface of its cylindrical wall to be shaved away around its circumference, thereby reducing the outer diameter of said tube at its opposite ends.
 8. The method of claim 7 including pressing a roller against the outer surface of said tube while it is rotating so that an indentation is formed around the circumference of said tube.
 9. The method of claim 8 including assembling the indented tubes into a bundle so that the indentations provide space for wire to extend between the abutting tubes.
 10. A tube-shaping device comprising a frame, first and second tool assemblies mounted on said frame and spaced apart from one another, transporting means for locating a tube between said tool assemblies, holding drums on each of said tool assemblies, said holding drums being extendable toward the opposite ends of said tube and being adapted for releasably gripping said tube, and cutting tools on each of said tool assemblies, said cutting tools being adapted to move toward the outer surface of said tube to engage said tube such that said tube is cut at the opposite ends thereof during relative movement between said cutting tools and said tube.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein said holding drums are rotatable on said tool assemblies so as to impart rotational movement to said tube during gripping engagement between said holding drums and said tube, said cutting tool engaging the opposite ends of said rotating tube to form reduced diameters thereon.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein said drums have a diameter less than the inner diameter of said tube, said drums including members which are radially movable to an extended position whereby extension of said drums within said tube and movement of said members to their extended position causes said tube to be attached to said drums.
 13. The device of claim 10 wherein each of said cutting tools includes a first cutting edge adapted to engage the outer surface of said tube and a second cutting edge adapted to engage the end of said tube, said cutting tools being movable toward each other until they are a predetermined distance apart so that their second cutting edges will cut said tube to a predetermined length.
 14. The device of claim 10 wherein a scoring tool is mounted on said frame and includes at least one roller rotatably mounted thereon, said roller being movable to a scoring position wherein it engages the outer surface of said tube and means are provided for pressing said roller against said tube so as to cause a peripheral indentation around said tube as said tube is rotated by said drums.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein said roller includes a reduced diameter portion and a rim having a greater diameter than said portion such that said rim engages said tube and causes said indentation, and said reduced diameter portion limits the distance which said rim protrudes radially into said tube. 